The federal budget, to be implemented on Tuesday, will include a one point two billion dollar package aimed at creating more apprenticeships. 

According to Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, the package will pay half the wages for a new apprentice taken on by a business until March 2021. 

Small businesses will be eligible for the grant if they employ less than 20 people, and the apprentice was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship after July 1 2020. 

The Honourable Di Farmer, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, has affirmed that if the Palaszcuk Government is reelected, they will introduce new strategies to address coercive control. 

In a press release, Ms Farmer recognised the difficulty of identifying this behaviour, and said the Government will introduce specialist training for first responders and domestic violence case workers. 

Nepal's decision to scale down festivals and centuries-old rituals due to coronavirus fears has invited a concerned response from religious leaders. 

Some are worried that divine anger could lead the country into catastrophe.

As of 30 September, there have been nearly 78,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 500 deaths due to coronavirus in Nepal.

Infections are on the rise in Kathmandu and there are fears that the disease could spread further as people travel home during the festivals.

The Amazon rainforest in Brazil is still burning and suffering its worst fires in a decade.

In September, satellites recorded a 61 per cent increase in fires in the rainforest from September 2019. 

The sudden surge in fires in the Amazon was the centre of much coverage in August last year. 

However this year, the peak of the fires have been sustained for longer as the Amazon is experiencing a longer dry season, which scientists attribute to global warming. 

Woolworths will expand its trial of cashless Metro stores in Sydney and Melbourne over the coming weeks, creating nine stores that will no longer accept physical money.

The trial is intended to help customers at CBD locations get in and out of the store fast, with more Australians turning away from cash.

Although some customers have welcomed the trial, many have criticised the move citing security and accessibility concerns. 

Australians are urged to prepare for the summer disaster season which officially begins this month. 

Emergency Management Australia released its annual disaster season briefing, following consultation with police, fire authorities and emergency services in every state and territory. 

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud says since the last disastrous bushfire season the Australian Defence Force has been working with the Department of Defence and Home Affairs to streamline support services. 

Former senator Andrew Bartlett has been chosen to replace Greens candidate John Meyer as the party's Clayfield hopeful following an internal feud over campaign funding.

Mr Bartlett represented Queensland in the Senate from 1997 to 2008 as a member of the Australian Democrats.

The seat is held by former state treasurer and LNP leader Tim Nicholls on a 2.4 per cent margin.

The Palaszczuk government announced a new roadmap outlining the steps to ease restrictions. 

From 4pm today, Queenslanders can enjoy a drink or meal out without having to be seated.

Further restrictions will be eased later in the month, including opening the border to New South Wales as long as there is no unlinked community transmission in the state for 28 days.

A British judge says she will make her decision on the 4th of January on whether Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will be extradited to the US. 

Julian Assange faces charges including espionage for revealing US military records on his site Wikileaks. 

Australian-born Assange has been in the Ecuadorian Embassy since 2012.